Photos

Design

The Aichi S1A was to be the replacement for the Nakajima J1N1-S that were being used as night fighters.

The Imperial Japanese Navy issued the 18-Shi specification for a night fighter. It was to have the following specifications:

Speed at 29,530' / 9,000 m: 426 mph / 370 knots

Endurance: Five hours

Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m: Eight minutes

Armament: Two 30 mm cannons

Air borne radar

Air brakes were installed in the wing and the center of the fuselage to help in not overtaking a bomber in flight.

The radar was installed in the nose.

Crew

The pilot was located in a cockpit over the wing's leading edge and the radar operator in a cockpit placed over the trailing edge. The radio operator also remotely controlled the guns in the dorsal turret.

Prototype

The first prototype, which was 70% complete, was destroyed in an air raid and the second prototype, 90% complete, was destroyed in another.